The
words of the above scripture were spoken by Jesus as He foretold
conditions approaching the close of the present age. At that point in
time, the church was being cared for by the personal presence of the
Son of God. It was totally Jewish as it would be until sometime
post-Pentecost. Notice the key words in Greek New Testament writing,
their import, meaning, and fulfillment in the present day.

“False
Prophets” is “Pseudoprophetes” “False or lying
prophets.”
“Deceive” is “Planao” “deceit, fraud,
lead one cunningly away from truth.”
“Iniquity” is
“Anomia” “Not observant of rule or law; esp. that of God;
anarchy.”
“Abound” is “Plethuno” “Multiplied;
multitudinous.”
“Love” is “Agape” “Genuine love as
for God and His work.”
“Wax cold” is “Psucho” “to
cool by blowing (process of evaporation)”

Let
us rephrase this precious verse with the definitions above: “Lying
prophets shall rise up to cunningly deceive and lead nominal
Christians away from truth. Due to the lack of their observing the
teachings of God’s Word, spiritual anarchy will be multitudinous
and the sweet, pure love for God and His work shall evaporate.”
For
the first 1500 years of the Lord’s church, there was persecution
from state religion. It never succeeded in eliminating it. So the
devil changed tactics beginning with the Protestant Reformation. Now,
the church would be counterfeited again, and again, and again
practically without end. As those multi-viewed organizations
permeated society, all claiming to be the Lord’s church, and
engaging in evil and iniquitous practices, there would ultimately
come the discouragement, and falling away by those who would rather
listen to man than to search out answers from the Creator
Himself.
Certainly, the conditions described by Jesus, and those
evidenced by present day status appear to coincide. Who, then will
stand in this evil day, and in that near day of our King’s
appearance Whose question was: when the son of man comes will He find
faith on the earth? Those who stand will be those who have sought the
true answers; who are not content to hinge their eternal destiny with
that of other religious sinners who may be as wrong as wrong can be.
Certainly, the world is full of them, and they shall not stand when
the Son of Man appears, but will cry for the rock and mountains to
fall on them; to hide them from the face of Him Who comes.
To
whom are you listening today? Is it the proverbial Dr. Whizbang, or
the Word of God? Has your love of God and His Word waxed cold
(evaporated)? It is time for each one to get into the Word. Let Dr.
Whizbang answer to God for himself, which he most surely will, but he
will not, cannot answer for you! You and you alone will do that!

Helicopters
whirled overhead, snipers were poised on the roof of the K Mart
across the street and on the church roof, and the street was full of
people and Indianapolis City Police cars. Wow, surely terrorists had
taken over the church and the good guys came to rescue innocent
Christians. No, afraid not. The terrorists were all in uniform
charged with taking control of a Baptist Church. Inside, about 30
people had spent the night as they had for 92 days but many others
had gone to work so only 8 people along with pastors and associates
praying at the altar were taken out of the church by police
officials.

For
the first time in American History, the Federal Government, under
color of law, put a large Baptist Church out of the Gospel business.
Well, at least they tried.

It
was February 13, 2001 when 85 federal officials (FBI, ATF, etc.)
supported by Indianapolis Police Officers (doing crowd and traffic
control) raided the Indianapolis Baptist Temple (IBT), known as the
11th largest church in America, according to Christian
Life Magazine. Dr.
Greg J. Dixon was the long time pastor but his son Greg A. Dixon was
now the church leader. The church was being raided not for unpaid
taxes as almost everyone declared, but for permitting their school
teachers (my daughter was one), administrators, etc., to pay their
own FICA taxes. Thousands of American churches have always followed
that practice.

It
is interesting that the Marion County Sheriff’s Department under
Jack Cottey refused to participate in the raid. Jack was a principled
man who had also served in the Indiana House of Representatives where
I had served.

The
Indianapolis church leaders refused to handle the withholding since
the government cannot force a church to be a tax collector: the
lowest, most hated position in New Testament times. However, no one
refused to pay taxes and no taxes were owed. It was simply the
Federal Government, then run by newly installed President George W.
Bush, letting everyone know that churches must kowtow to Washington
or they would be put out of the Gospel business. Federal Marshall
Frank Anderson was in charge of the illegal raid and was elected
Marion County Sheriff in 2003, serving until 2011. Of course, the
Feds had declared the church’s action to be illegal; consequently,
the raid was “legal.”

We
were seeing the assertion and application of might at the expense of
what is right. The IBT discovered that Voltaire was right when he
said that it is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
The church was right; the feds were wrong.

Some
local media people were in the church having spent many nights
sleeping on the floor and church pews along with pastors from across
America. Some of the media had characterized the church people,
especially the pastors, as being “patriots” (gasp!), “militia”
etc. Some even spoke of guns even though the pastors had made it
clear that no guns would be permitted. and no violence would take
place. But you can’t be too careful; these are Baptists—you
know like John (the Baptist) or Jerry (Falwell) or Billy (Graham)—so
an overwhelming force was ordered along with the snipers on the
rooftops.

You
can’t be too careful you know. Some of those Baptists might even
thump their Bibles (KJV, of course) and that could be dangerous
especially if the thumping were caught on television.
The raid
was ordered by former two-term Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator and
active Christian layman in the Assemblies of God and the now U.S.
Attorney General John Ashcroft. John also wrote, “Let the Eagle
Soar” and sang it after his speech at the Gordon-Conwell
Theological Seminary in 2002—where both my son and grandson earned
their doctorates. The song was satirically featured in Michael
Moore’s movie Fahrenheit
9/11.
While the lyrics are mediocre, and John’s voice is tolerable, I
recommend that John not surrender his license to practice law.

The
Christian school building, home to hundreds of students and the
2,000-seat auditorium on 20 acres of prime property, were padlocked
and later bulldozed to the ground to make room for a new Charter
School. Hundreds of Christian students and thousands of church
members were now homeless—thanks to GOP President George W. Bush.

This
case had been simmering for seventeen years when pastor Dr. Greg J.
Dixon and his son and co-pastor refused to withhold FICA taxes on the
church school staff. At the time of the raid, the younger Dixon was
pastor and served as pastor until December of 2015 when Matt Roller
was called to that position.

Ashcroft
wrote a book after he was out of office and dedicated seven pages to
the Indianapolis Baptist Temple tragedy. He alleged that the church
was guilty of “tax evasion” but that is not true. He admitted in
his book that the church employees paid their own taxes from funds
“received from the church.” Ashcroft also alleged that the U.S.
Supreme Court ruled against the church; however, that is another
mistake: the Court refused to hear the case.

During
the raid, Pastor Greg A. Dixon asked one of the marshals if he was
not a member of a local Southside, Bible-preaching church that was
not taking FICA out of the church staff’s salary—what the
Indianapolis Baptist Temple was charged with. He refused to answer.

About
that time, another marshal asked Dr. Dixon for the keys to his car
that he promised to move to the K Mart lot so it would not be
impounded. Dr. Dixon appreciated his kindness. The AP carried a story
revealing that the church parsonage that had been the pastor’s home
for 32 years had been taken by the feds. After the eviction, the
media quoted Mrs. Dixon as saying, “Wait until you see me in my new
home.”

All
the principal people involved with the church were highly committed
and principled people—not the rebels and anti-government trouble
makers as presented by most of the media. Paul Harvey led his
national broadcast with a fair and positive report of the raid and
most of the other national media dealt with it with their normal
critical spin. Congressman Ron Paul wrote a wonderful defense of IBT
in his Congressional Bulletin.

About
sixty of those who served in the church ministry were audited by the
IRS, and it was concluded that they had no tax liability of any
substantial degree and all had paid their own tax liability including
both shares of the Social Security Tax. This of course means that the
valuable property, built and financed over many years by dedicated
Christians, was seized to satisfy a bogus tax bill that had already
been paid.

Why
would our government be so vicious and unethical and illegal? Because
government is in the control business and true churches refuse to
permit secular control since every theologian is aware of the
lordship of Christ over everything. Federal prosecutor Douglas
Snoeyenbos was quoted as saying that the “higher ups in the U.S.
Justice Department are out to totally destroy the pastor and the
Indianapolis Baptist Temple.” He also expressed personal dislike
for Dr. Dixon even though he had never met him according to the
church attorney. Well, I’ve never met Snoeyenbos and I don’t like
him or his name, but then he can’t help that.

The
church has a memo from the Treasury Department in the mid-eighties
(date illegible) signed by an IRS agent declaring that the pastor of
the Indianapolis Baptist Temple “spoke out against the IRS and
other government agencies in general” which shows the feds have no
respect for freedom of speech, religion, etc. It is perfectly legal
and ethical to speak out against various agencies. After all, one can
abhor an administration or agencies without hating his nation.

I
often spoke out on television and wrote about government intrusion in
personal lives and into church matters. I even testified at a
congressional hearing in Washington dealing with the IRS attempted
takeover of Christian schools. I then published it in my first
book, Liberalism:
A Rope of Sand! I
also wrote a scalding letter to the FBI about their treatment of Dr.
Dixon regarding another incident. I wonder if the feds have a file on
me. Or you.

U.S.
Attorney Robert Metzler admitted in federal court in Indianapolis on
August 23, 2001, that the Indianapolis Baptist Temple owes
no taxes if
they would only file for an exemption, which shows that this was not
a tax issue—but who will control the Lord’s assembly, God or the
IRS. He said the same thing in oral argument at the Seventh Circuit
on May 11, 2000. U.S. Attorney Metzler said twice before the Seventh
Circuit Court of Appeal on that same day that “an uncontrolled
church is untenable” in America today. But then, thousands of
churches in America conduct their affairs just like the Indianapolis
Baptist Temple. Will the government begin closing those churches? Are
the churches left alone because they are so docile?

Frankly,
I am not concerned with an uncontrolled church but I am very
concerned about an uncontrolled government. George Washington said,
“Government is like fire, a dangerous servant and a fearful
master.” Our founding fathers knew what current officials refuse to
recognize about federal government: A government out of control is
like a forest fire that destroys everything in its path.

So,
our government planned a dangerous raid on God’s church against
innocent people because the pastors had spoken against pornography,
the IRS, and leftists in general and had done so for decades.
Moreover, few local pastors, even Baptists, stood with the church
much to their shame. Many of those pastors were and still are my
friends but they showed cowardice rather than courage at that time.

Hundreds
of students in their Christian school and thousands of church members
had their rights attacked by their own government officials who had
sworn to protect those rights. The large, expensive buildings were
bulldozed to the ground. Students were no longer taught by committed
teachers and hymns of praise no longer echoed along East Street.
Alas, the enemy had won!

But
that was the prelude. The story continues. Like the Phoenix (the
pagan Greek myth), IBT rose from the ashes. The Indianapolis Baptist
Temple is even stronger than before and has multiplied its ministries
many times. After the raid, the church immediately moved services to
a large new public high school auditorium about five minutes from the
original church and school buildings.

The
wounded church rented similar buildings for five and one half years.
Finally, Pastor Greg A. Dixon led the church to lease a large sports
building near Interstate 65, only five minutes from the interchange.
The church renovated the complex and continued their work of world
evangelism.

After
serving as pastor until 2015, Pastor Dixon resigned to be followed by
a member of the church, Matt Roller. The IBT is alive and well and
the disgraced government officials responsible for the illegal raid
are (mostly) now has-beens with a badly soiled record. Others have
died.

Many
will declare that the officials were only doing their job, a defense
that is a non-defense. Principled people will never do wrong even if
it costs them everything. Bush was wrong to permit the raid. John
Ashcroft was wrong to authorize it and should have told Bush that he
respectfully should not carry out the church raid. U.S. Marshal Frank
Anderson should have informed Washington officials that he would not
participate in taking a church away from its members. The 84 other
federal agents should have refused to be involved. And the
Indianapolis Police Department should have refused federal orders
including individual officers. There is nothing wrong in resisting an
authority to obey a higher authority. It’s better to be hated for
being right than to be honored for being wrong.

Long,
long ago, God forged a mighty nation of Hebrew people enslaved in
Egypt. He delivered them, blessed them, and brought them to the
Promised Land. Extraordinary victories, great miracles, and
provisions attributable only to God’s blessings were embedded into
their minds and hearts, but Judges tells the repetitious story of the
propensity of men to follow the flesh instead of God. “A new
generation arose that knew not God.” Sadly, men have not
changed!
Fast forward! Out of the deadly fires of persecution in
the Inquisition, God delivered His people by opening up the Western
Hemisphere in general and America in particular for their
unparalleled freedom and growth. Through famine, wars, and civil
turmoil, God blessed His churches in this new land. It was then that
the god of this world laid plans to inundate the nation with material
things far removed from the support of its Gross National Product by
printing baseless script to direct faith to Caesar. Misled churches
hailed this as blessings from above.
Simply put, it is easier,
and highly tempting, to follow the dictates of the flesh. Soon,
churches, which flourished briefly in inflated abundance, found
unwittingly that materialism had substituted God. Youth then failed
to follow the faith of their fathers. Pulpits became filled with
stand-up comedians and CEO’s of social clubs. Services were scaled
down. Revivals ceased. God was removed from public prayers and
schools. Innocent lives were butchered on demand by the millions.
Churches became even more moderate, bowing to a social agenda in an
ever-losing battle for the attention of the masses.
At
last, some have awakened to ask why the rolls are full, but the pews
are empty? It is the continuing last state of churches whose members
are detached from the spirit and mission of the church. Oh, but those
roll members are indeed attached. They are attached to their
detachment, and few are open to change. Churches previously offering
men spiritual salvation and truth, sank in their deluded dream of
individual kingdom-building, and panic of material debts. So
gravitating to social programs to compete, they ultimately found
themselves inadequate to compete materially in a God forsaken
religious world, or able to deal properly and spiritually with a
people who are minus an ear for spiritual things, not unlike the
society of Lot’s day. Church-house padlocks are now becoming common.
What a crazy course of history! What foolish decisions by spiritual
institutions! Caring ministers and churches now cry and preach to a
people firmly attached. . . to spiritual detachment! Evermore then is
the cry heard: “Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.”

The question arises from time to time, but recently more often: is there bias in Baptist churches and literature against baptism? The question does not mean to indicate that Baptists are openly critical of or disdainful of baptism, rather they purposefully push it into the background or omit discussing it to avoid conflicting discussions with others not of our stripe. Think a minute!
One evidence is a lack of underscoring its significance from pulpits. Ministers may feel intimidated by former waves of heresy surrounding the ordinance resulting in ministers being labeled in unfavorable ways. That may not be the case also, but whatever it is, there is a widespread toning down of its meaning, importance, and beauty.
Another evidence shows up in literature. The spiritual new birth is heavily emphasized, which is good, but to indicate that one has all that is important, or that there is full leadership accessibility of the Holy Spirit in rebellion or neglect of divine instructions regarding proper baptism and subsequent fellowship in a true New Testament church is to negate the very thrust of the New Testament itself. Whom do we fear, God or man? Whom do we seek to not offend by this subject, God or man?
When Baptists are biased against the joyful presentation of baptism are they ashamed of it, or do they think to win others by cunning deception in matters of truth?
Baptism has long served as the door to church membership predicated on the new birth. If Baptists are not seeking to win folks to proper New Testament church membership, they are not ministering the New Testament purpose. The new birth is as old as Adam’s sin in Eden, and while the New Covenant is predicated upon it, so was the Old Covenant as well. To fail in these matters is to fall into the practice of abandoning new believers to the clutches of heretical religious organizations as so many modern “evangelists” do.
It is important to emphasize the will of God for every new believer of the gospel. Pentecost is fundamentally important. There is an office work of the Holy Spirit to and in the Lord’s church whose benefit the unbaptized, unchurched miss. If the ordinance were not absolutely important, it would not be the consistent teaching of the New Covenant. Let such scripture verses as Luke 7:30, Matt. 28:19, Acts 2:38, and Romans 6:1-5 be revisited, and indelibly impressed in hearts and minds.
On the other hand to be boastful tends to create carnal elitism. There is a thin line but a definite line between a sense of thankfulness for one’s understanding and blessings, and a sense of arrogance or superiority that one may have over another.
Then let us witness of full truth in love for the Lord and His purpose, but be quick to attribute all of these things to the goodness of God which all may have who will believe and follow Him.

Both joining a church and leaving a church are serious business — business for which those involved will give an account before God. Here are six illegitimate reasons for leaving a scriptural New Testament church I have heard over the years.

1. Because our children want to go to another church (quite often that ‘other church’ is an unscriptural one with lots of ‘glitter’ but no ‘gold’). – The most spiritually immature (presumably) members of the family should not single-handedly make the most important decision facing afamily and their eternal destiny.

2. Because there aren’t many people here my age. – The church is not a social club, but the gathering of sinners saved by grace. The world should be at odds to explain the church. It should wonder, “What is it
that brings together such a diverse collection of people in such a tight bond of love?”
3. Because I don’t like the music. – The ‘contemporary vs. traditional type of music’ question is usually wrongheaded, in my opinion. Of greater importance is the question: What is the content of the songs being sung? Is the church singing good theology or merely good feel-ology?

4. Because the pastor’s sermons are too long. – Preaching is the central act of Christian worship and should receive the lion’s share of the time. Many churches are a mile wide but only an inch deep due to the teachings they’ve accepted as biblical truth!

5. Because they don’t have a good youth/children’s program here. Parents are the spiritual caretakers for the children. The church should merely reinforce the biblical truths taught in the home. No church pro-
gram will adequately shepherd our children; that is the calling of parents, particularly fathers.

6. Because the worship/preaching is boring. – The aim of worship is God’s glory, not our amusement. The Lord’s church is not to entertain the crowds but to train the saints to best honor Christ — period! 

In biblical Christianity there is power! Saints sing of it often in such hymns as “There Is Power In The Blood.” Repentant lost people rejoice in it at the altar of their heart. Saints who are wise reject the time consuming offerings of the world in order to know Him and the POWER of His resurrection as did St. Paul as he told the Philippians.
Jesus said that all power is consolidated in Him as He commissioned the church in Matthew 28:18-20. Just before ascending, He told His church that they would receive power after that the Holy Ghost was come upon them. According to Acts 2, they certainly did. But it was not a temporary power. It was an age long power to be resident in New Testament churches; power sufficient to bring them through the age with the proper testimony of God, and His love for the world.
But power is one of the objects of the sinful, greedy world which sees material advancement as the purpose of life. Thus the very existence of understood power draws men either to God and Salvation or to Satan and the ladder of materialism and creature comforts.
Such was the case of one Simon the sorcerer as noted in Acts 8. It is interesting to note that Simon was a long time practitioner of sorcery. Doubtless, he accumulated a considerable amount of wealth with it. However, the introduction of Bible Christianity in Samaria was mightily blessed of God so that many were saved and baptized. Make of this what you will, the Bible declares that Simon also was saved and baptized. Simon then continued with Philip, drawn by the miracles which he did.
Some days later Peter and John were dispatched from Jerusalem to Samaria who prayed for them, and laid hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit that had come upon the church in Acts 2. Simon was impressed, so impressed that he offered the apostles money to have their power conferred upon him. Peter minced no words rejecting the request, and directing him to repent of such wickedness, 8:22-24.
Unarguably, the apostolic years were filled with extraordinary displays of holy power as credentials of holy men in the absence of the New Testament. But with its completion, focus is shifted more precisely upon the church of the Living God. It is the pillar and ground of the truth under the constriction of the Holy Spirit and the eternal Word. In these things there is staying, aggressive, authoritative, energetic power from heaven. Surely, the world remains filled with satanic inspired charlatans, who emulate Simon saying, sell me this power that I may accumulate wealth through deception. But, as it was then, so it is now. The gifts and calling of God may be only enjoyed God’s way. They are not for sale.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

Keep thy foot while going to worship God. This is the thought of Moses and Holy ground. This is the idea of reverence and respect for the idea of meeting God here. Fruitful and acceptable worship is what is under consideration here. Would this mean that God does not accept any way we desire to worship God? Absolutely, a serious study of worship in the Old Testament and the New Testament is needed to find God’s way of worship. To keep your foot means to be careful of your conduct when coming into the presence of God. A place of worship is a sanctified place because of the presence of God. If we were meeting outside under a tree, the very presence of God demands a reverence because His presence sanctifies that ground just as much as the ground at the burning bush.

Hear the word. Be ready to draw near with great desire to hear and obey the call of the Lord in salvation, surrender, and service. The Word is precious indeed and much needed today. The inward devotion of the spirit will direct our outward worship in a manner that is approved and loved by God. The Word should convict us as to the worship that is acceptable, not based upon our desire but based upon what the Word has revealed to us about the character of God and the desire of God for a proper and acceptable worship.

The sacrifice of fools would be a sacrifice that is unacceptable to God. The sacrifices of the Old Testament were not to be sick, lame or blind. What are we offering that comes under the heading of “the sacrifice of fools? Some offer out of ignorance, others out of convenience, and yet others offer out of emotion. Knowledge of God’s Word should guide our sacrifice of worship to God.

A reverent sincerity is always appropriate. Obedience is always acceptable.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

The great tragedy today is a Lack of knowledge. We have simplified our knowledge of the Bible to a few simple slogans that express a small amount of knowledge about the Bible, God, Christ and the life we are to lead. We have not only dumbed down the secular education today but have also dumbed down Christian education. We have reduced the knowledge and discussion to a few favorite slogans leaving out the teachings that do not appeal to the masses. We are not teaching about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are not teaching the truths of the Church and what a Church is and the Churches responsibilities as the administrator of the kingdom of God.

This Biblical Knowledge has been rejected because it would convict. It has not only been rejected but also has been ridiculed as something that is not applicable to today’s lifestyle. This is a term that simply says, “I do not want to live a separated life from the world.” “I want to claim to be a Christian and yet do worldly things and have worldly attitudes.” There is a rejection today of a separated life that stands out and is outstanding.

God said, “I will also reject thee.” This was written to Israel, yet is just as applicable today as it was in Hosea’s day. The claim is that Israel has forgotten the law of God. That is true today also. We are not under the law of Moses but we are under God’s law of “study to show thy self approved.” We are under the law of “love thy neighbor as thyself.” We are under the law of “forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.” We are under the law of “put off concerning the former conversation the old man.” We have the law of holiness, “so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.”

Here is a warning for this day as it was in the days of Israel. I will forget thy children. Certainly, we see that warning coming to fruition today. We are losing our children to the world. When the world is brought into the Church, we lose the children to the world. Church truths are no longer taught to our children. They are certainly involved in activities yet the shallowing teaching of the Word of God enables them to embrace some of the sinful practices of the word. Then they stray. What a mess we have created, trying to entertain to create interest instead of driving the teaching home for conviction.

Psalm 133:1A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Unity, often discussed, difficult to attain. Unity is so important in the work of the Lord. There are times where dis-unity causes the work of God to be hindered. Unity promotes and encourages the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We should be united in Sentiment. Sentiment is a tender feeling or emotion for others that are engaged in the work of the Lord. It is that part of mankind where joy is shared by all and death is mourned together and those that leave our union brings great sadness. This sentiment is coupled with a union of feeling. This feeling brings a confidence among those that are in union. When we are in union with sentiment and feeling, we will be united in effort. When we are united in effort, the Lord’s work will be accomplished.

Church union is very important. The Church must be united in the teachings of the Scriptures. We must agree on core doctrines that relate to God, Jesus, and the Church. Without this union on Scripture, there is division which hinders the work. Unity is strength. Where there is unity there is strength to do the work. Unity brings happiness. When all are pulling the yoke together we have a unity of purpose that brings us together to pursue a goal. Where there is unity, there is love. A love that overshadows the work that is done for the Lord. Through all of the discussions on God, Church, and Doctrine, we should have unity even in our disagreements.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Man was created. He was not birthed in the beginning and he did not evolve. Man was created in innocence. He had not committed sin and did not know sin. He was upright in stature and practice of living. It is mans own invention that brought sin into this world. Man is responsible for his own failings because he trusted himself when confronted with the sin of disobeying God. We are the same today. We are a rebellious and disobedient people ready to turn away from the path God has given us and chose a path of sure destruction.

What are our inventions? A way of salvation that is not God’s way. It is the way of mans own thoughts and imaginations. Never forget that salvation is by grace through faith plus nothing that man can do. Baptism is a pictorial ordinance that shows the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and identifies us with Christ. It has no part of salvation but does show obedience. Man has devised a preferred baptism that is convenient and does not show anything related to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Man has invented a Lord’s Supper that knows not the design nor the purpose of this ordinance. There are some “so-called churches” today that have so marred the Bible doctrines that they can no longer be recognized as Bible doctrine.

Man’s inventions have led us so far away from the Word of God that only lip-service is rendered. Man has even invented new ways of “persuading converts” through entertainment and persuasion. They now are making converts that are condemned to the abyss of hell because it is lip service to salvation because of persuasion. The Holy Spirit is not involved but the salesmanship and entertainment that is bringing into contact with religion, yet they have never been convicted and repented.

The deepness of the Word

There is, today, a move away from the deep endearing knowledge of God and what He wants us to know. We are shallow in knowledge, relationship and living. We can no longer call our selves Christians because we do not pass the test of "Christ like." We want what we want and tend to move through the buffet line of the Bible, picking and choosing our desires. By this we allow our selves to indulge in worldly thought and actions.

We are called to be a separate people, distinct from the world and its practices. Those that call themselves Christians today practice worldly things and are no longer identifiable as Christians.